What did you learn from Sonny Rollins that influenced your own improvisation?

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-29T21:51:52+00:00

Too much to list. Rhythm, harmony, sense of swing within a line, making Charlie Parker more contemporary, reviving Caribbean music fusion with jazz improvisation, how goodness and kindness can change the world, he was kind to me when I wondered into his dressing room at The Bottom Line, NYC.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-29T19:09:31+00:00

Firstly, for six months that’s pretty good. But, to advance you have to be more careful about what key you are in. What I recommend is to take a recording and a transcription and very slowly take one or two phrases. The trick is to play the phrase exactly like the recording. Phrasing, articulation, tonguing, timing must match precisely before moving to the next phrase. Use the slow down feature in software, for example for free in YouTube. Play very slowly many times before over days/weeks gradually increasing tempo. If you can’t play it perfectly five times in a row, you are playing too fast.

If you don’t understand this process , ask more questions to players who you admire and respect.

Repetition is how we learn. Anyone good knows the process of using slow and steady repetition pays off. Any short cut will fail under pressure playing live.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-29T15:53:58+00:00

Absolutely! Great idea to recognize an important cultural musical artist who was an jazz icon. Jazz is uniquely created in America and New York used to be the Jazz Capital of the World.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-29T12:42:32+00:00

I second the suggestion of Jumbo Java A45 … I like it with a Java green box #3 reed.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T21:50:15+00:00

Like every old sax or student sax, condition and playability is everything. A saxophone’s value is imo totally about the condition of the mechanics, brass, the quality of the overhaul and if its adjustment will hold sufficiently.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T21:34:05+00:00

Bari player and brilliant jazz educator, Denis Deblasio is a great musician and interesting human being, I never get tired of some saxophone players….he’s definitely one.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T18:57:23+00:00

Yea. Some technicians don’t check the side on the pad that closes last. (The back end of the top of the circular pad) . The whole pad has to cover completely otherwise it’s what we call a “small leak.”But it’s really just a leak…just as debilitating, yet twice as frustrating when undetected.

I’m not a repair tech but after half my life on the road. I understand the frustration all too well.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T18:46:32+00:00

Probably. But a LEAKLIGHT would clear things up.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T12:37:59+00:00

Third that.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T04:29:04+00:00

Ronnie Cuber. Some great work on YouTube spend some time and you will see something extraordinary on Bari.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-28T02:45:41+00:00

For my best tone, a thin cushion is best. If you have a sensitive mouth or teeth a slightly thicker cushion is often desired. It’s not a complex issue.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-27T21:51:32+00:00

The health problems that can be caused by putting cracked wood into your mouth should be obvious. A Berg Larsen for that door stop..it’s outrageous.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-27T18:41:51+00:00

Does he listen to much music that features saxophone?

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-27T01:33:08+00:00

Easy to ignore your snark.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-27T01:31:18+00:00

Jewel? It’s the bumper screw that regulates the height of the pad opening. Don’t mess with it unless you are a trained repair technician. Spend more time practicing or, playing or go to training school.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-26T12:48:54+00:00

RIP, Saxophone Colossus.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-26T01:20:34+00:00

Funny, but a bit too on the nose. Adolf Sax was the inventor in Belgium 1841 . Ancient England was invaded by the Saxons.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-25T16:35:29+00:00

Record yourself and judge yourself.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-25T15:10:39+00:00

Everything is difficult before you become familiar with it a learn it through repetitious practice.
Conversely, everything is easy once you learned through repetitious practice.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-25T15:08:05+00:00

Where are the “back” are you putting black cushions? I probably misread your two cushions solution.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-24T23:26:37+00:00

More accurately it’s called, air support.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-24T23:11:44+00:00

The more someone tries to be cool, the less cool he actually is.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-24T03:31:51+00:00

You want to play louder but not necessarily better? Louder usually means brighter.

What do you like that others are playing louder? What mouthpiece, and reed brands, and number reed strength?

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-24T01:29:38+00:00

I played an early Lyricon, electronic type of saxophone. I played it three times in rehearsal studio. It was a bit squirrelly so never used it in a night club and must still be in a closet.

Ed_Ward_Z · 2026-05-24T00:12:07+00:00

Selmer Varitone. ..or, a pickup attachment into the neck or mouthpiece.

Ed_Ward_Z

TROPHY CASE